Don't Swallow Your Gum and Other Medical Myths

People have more access to medical information than ever before, and yet we still believe "facts" about our bodies and health that are just plain wrong. DON'T SWALLOW YOUR GUM! (Griffin; May 2009; ISBN 0-312-53387-X; Paperback; $13.95) by Dr. Aaron E. Carroll and Dr. Rachel C. Vreeman takes on these myths and misconceptions, and exposes the truth behind some of those weird and worrisome things we think about our bodies. Did you know? -That your hair and nails don't continue to grow after you die. -If you shave your hair it will not grow back faster and thicker -Using antiperspirants does not cause cancer -Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc will not help you prevent getting a cold. -Single people do not have better sex lives than married couples -Walkers don't help your baby learn how to walk faster -Sugar does not make kids hyper -If you pick up food within five seconds of hitting the floor, it's not safe -You do not have to wait an hour after you eat before swimming -Strangers don't poison kids' Halloween candy -With the perfect blend of authoritative research and a breezy, accessible tone, DON'T SWALLOW YOUR GUM is full of enlightening, practical, and quirky facts that will prove wrong some of the most perennial misconceptions we believe about our health and well-being.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Aaron E. Carroll, MD, MS is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Rachel C. Vreeman, MD, MS is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Children's Health Services Research Group at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Co-Director of Pediatric Research for the Academic Model for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS (AMPATH).